TimeShift
TimeShift for Linux is an application that provides functionality similar to the System Restore feature in Windows and Time Machine tool in Mac OS. TimeShift protects yo...
What is TimeShift?
TimeShift for Linux is an application that provides functionality similar to the System Restore feature in Windows and the Time Machine tool in Mac OS. TimeShift protects your system by taking incremental snapshots of the file system at regular intervals. These snapshots can be restored at a later date to undo all changes to the system.
Snapshots are taken using rsync and hard-links. Common files are shared between snapshots which saves disk space. Each snapshot is a full system backup that can be browsed with a file manager.
TimeShift is similar to applications like rsnapshot, BackInTime and TimeVault but with different goals. It is designed to protect only system files and settings. User files such as documents, pictures and music are excluded. This ensures that your files remains unchanged when you restore your system to an earlier date. If you need a tool to backup your documents and files please take a look at the excellent BackInTime application which is more configurable and provides options for saving user files.
TimeShift Screenshots
TimeShift Features
TimeShift information
Supported Languages
- English
GitHub repository
- 642 Stars
- 40 Forks
- 108 Open Issues
- Updated
Comments and Reviews
Tags
- Backup
- System Restore
- Backup and Restore
- System Backup
Category
Backup & SyncLists containing TimeShift
Debian Elementary XFCE: Best Apps for a balanced system • Linux FOSS • My toolchain • Switching to LinuxRecent user activities on TimeShift
einabyss thinks Déjà Dup is an alternative to TimeShift
anthonyrevell3392 thinks Back In Time is an alternative to TimeShift- einabyss liked TimeShiftei
What a great program. Now you can tinker with your Linux installation to your heart's content without any serious consequences. No meddling with virtual OS'es for the same reason needed. If that's not cool I don't know what is.
Great app for unsavvy Linux users. It literally erases damage by reversing time on your system.
Easy system backups for noobs and other humans
TimeShift is a lifesaver. I discovered a new bug that killed major part of my connectivity. Nothing worked. Used Timeshift and was running again within 10-15 minutes. It does not backup your home files by default, not meant to replace backups. This could be the thing that saves you an entire day of work trying to fix something vs. being fixed in few minutes.
I have this application installed on my Linux Mint computer. I've used it at least 15 times so far, and it works very well. If I am not mistaken, it uses RSYNC as the backend, although BTRFS is also possible.
I set up Timeshift to automatically back up most of my files on the root partition, excluding a few like /dev, /proc, and others that I can't recall right now. Timeshift will take a snapshot of certain folders so that you can go back to it when needed. Since most programs I install end up in /bin, /etc, /opt, or /usr, by backing this up, I am able to revert these folders to a previous state. That way, if some upgrade of a package goes horribly wrong, fixing it is easy.
You can also set a schedule for Timeshift to back up your folders at certain intervals. For me, I back up every week and keep a list of the last 4 backups before automatically deleting the oldest one.